Residents within a kilometre of the AGC Chemicals Europe factory in Thornton-Cleveleys in the north of England, have found themselves at the centre of what is quickly becoming a national scandal.In 2024, the UK Environment Agency and the local authority initiated an investigation into historic emissions of Pfoa – a carcinogenic “forever chemical” that international research has linked to kidney cancer – from the factory. After environmental testing, people have been advised to wash and peel homegrown food and to avoid eating locally produced eggs, and two allotment sites near the factory have been closed.After my reporting on the factory and the looming threat of legal action, AGC Chemicals Europe this week announced plans to close down the plant, citing “significant financial and operational challenges”. With concerns now growing over who will pay for the clean-up, residents are left with serious questions about their health.More on what comes next for the residents of this Lancashire village, after this week’s climate headlines.Essential reads
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